Splenomegaly, Analgesic Ingestion and Renal Disease

Abstract

ADMINISTRATION of phenacetin (acetophenetidin) by gavage to pair-fed Sprague–Dawley rats for four weeks has resulted in the consistent production of renal lesions as previously described.¹ These studies have disclosed, in addition, consistent enlargement of the spleen in the drug-fed, as compared with control, animals, as shown in Table 1. Grossly, the spleen is notably enlarged and dark in color in comparison with the appearance in the control animals, and on histologic study, there is marked deposition of pigment in the spleen that has affinity for iron stains.The splenomegaly produced in this experimental setting appears to be reversible. When the drug . . .